General Ducato (2003) - Fan heater not blowing air

[BigBlue]

Okay, I have established that my bulb works by placing the ends across an interior light in the van.

I then removed the fan motor again, took out the two wires going into it, and attached the two wires from my bulb, with the ignition on and the fan on - and still nothing.

Presumably this means the motor is okay (?).

 

[T14086]

right put one end of your bulb wire to earth(at earth connector or good clean bolt etc) the other into one of the fan motor connector terminals (then try the other) ....to estabish if the live or earth is missing.

I think its the brown wire (?) at heater that should be live & black is earth)

 

[BigBlue]

Okay... I've tried all combinations... and no light from the bulb.

What's next!?

 

[T14086]

so we established there is no live at motor....now go to fuse 55 to see if it is live using your bulb.....one end of bulb to earth other to fuse.

 

[BigBlue]

Earth to fuse - bulb illuminates

 

[T14086]

Earth to fuse - bulb illuminates

with ignition on? (f55 on dashboard fuse box?)

do you have air-con fitted?

This live from F55 goes straight to heater motor,it does pass through one connector (located in centre dash area) so possible connection fault there or this wire is shorted along its length (did the fuse blow before).

 

[BigBlue]

Yeah, that was with the ignition on.

Nope, no air-con fitted.

The fuse has blown just the once.

From what you're saying, the time has come to dismantle the central dash and check the connections.

Thanks very much for all your help - I'll let you know how I get on.

 

[T14086]

illuminates on both sides of fuse yeah?

 

[T14086]

illuminates on both sides of fuse yeah?

From memory to get to connector you undo most of the glovebox screws but you can get centre section out without actually taking glovebox out...if your stuck let me know,good luck

 

[BigBlue]

I think it was just the upper hole, but I'll run the test again and confirm in just a jiffy.

 

[BigBlue]

Yep, only illuminates when wire pushed into upper slot where fuse goes, with ignition on.

 

[BigBlue]

From memory to get to connector you undo most of the glovebox screws but you can get centre section out without actually taking glovebox out...if your stuck let me know,good luck

Well, the glovebox/lower dash section is already off, but can't really see behind the central part of the dash, so going to go ahead an whip that off now.

 

[T14086]

fuse definately ok? (swop with another?)

If yes then you have break in supply wire between fusebox & motor.

 

[BigBlue]

Fuse definitely okay - swapped with another and no change.

 

[T14086]

break in supply wire between fusebox & motor then

 

[BigBlue]

I should have guessed that long ago really, given that I only had to hit the dash for the fan to come on before it went completely kaput.

Right - off with the dash, it is then. What a way to spend a Friday night. Really appreciate you guiding me through the diagnosis procedure. Thanks again.

 

[T14086]

sorry couldn't help more,let us know how you get on

 

[BigBlue]

Update:

The fault turned out to be the switch (little black box) that plugs into the back of the fan speed selector on the dashboard.

When I unplugged it to examine it, I heard a rattle so I prised the switch open and found that the copper contact inside and a small spring had become dislodged. Also the switch casing itself was partly melted inside.

I turned the ignition on with just the piece of copper resting on two of the metal strips inside the casing and lo and behold, the fan came on (which put a smile on my face because I haven't heard it in so long).

I did notice however that the little piece of copper became extremely hot, very quickly. I wonder if that's normal and whether that caused the problem in the first place. I did stumble across a posting recently mentioning a recall for the fan heater wiring loom (but not sure if that was just for new models).

Meanwhile, my next challenge is to try and get hold of the part I need. My search on ePER has so far proved fruitless. I'll give my Fiat dealer a ring today and when I know the Part Number, I'll post it on this thread in case anyone else needs it.

Thanks again for your assistance, Moderator T14086.

 

[BigBlue]

Part No. 1305589080

(variable speed fan-heater switch - fits to back of speed selector knob)

 

[Corky 8]

Glad to see you found the Fault BigBlue,been watching with interest, and what can you say but a Big thumbs up to T14086 for hanging in there with you, " Brilliant" All the Best for the New Year Corky